New rain system protects Ueckermünder Heide from forest fires!

New rain system protects Ueckermünder Heide from forest fires!

A new irrigation system to fight forest fires was inaugurated in the Vorpommern-Greifswald district. On June 23, 2025, the German Federal Environmental Foundation handed over the innovative sprinkler system, which will now be used in the Ueckermünder Heide. This impressive area of ​​9,600 hectares is considered a natural heritage area and requires special measures to protect against forest and grassland fires.

The protection of these valuable ecosystems is becoming increasingly urgent, especially in view of changing climatic conditions. Extremely high temperatures and long dry seasons make forests increasingly vulnerable to fires. Researchers emphasize that climate change is leading to longer dry periods in many regions, including cold temperate climates. The tensions between nature and the environment and people's needs have become more complex as urbanization processes and migration from rural areas also influence the management of these areas. This not only increases the risk of forest fires, but also poses new challenges for infrastructure, such as organizing fire departments or providing resources to combat such extreme events.

Forest fire risk management in focus

The introduction of the irrigation system is part of a broader approach to wildfire risk management that is gaining increasing public interest. In 2022, initiatives such as the FIRE-IN project recognized the need to close capability gaps in forest firefighting and also develop a “Fire & Rescue Strategic Research and Standardization Agenda”. The aim of this is to actively involve various actors such as forestry and agriculture, fire departments and the population in the process in order to contribute to effective prevention.

Experience in recent years shows that extremely hot summers, such as those experienced in 2022, significantly increase the risk of fire. While the number of forest fires in Germany fell significantly between 1991 and 2017, the years 2018 and 2019 saw a dramatic increase in fires due to exceptional weather conditions, particularly in the northeastern federal states. Particularly noteworthy are the large area affected by fires and the various causes of ignition, ranging from negligent actions to arson.

Preventive measures at a glance

Forest fire risk management must be constantly optimized. Measures to improve the detection and containment of fires have already shown positive effects. Old fire watchtowers have been replaced by modern digital sensors that monitor and provide valuable information to the forest fire control centers. Furthermore, classic precautionary measures such as wound strips and water extraction points are still relevant in order to be able to react quickly in an emergency.

Overall, the challenges can be overcome better if the various influencing factors and risks in forest management are identified and analyzed more clearly. With the new irrigation system in the Ueckermünder Heide, the district is setting an important example in prevention and shows that effective measures to combat forest fires are increasingly becoming the focus of public interest.

Developments and investments in forest firefighting are essential to prevent future fires and protect our country's valuable ecological resources. A good knack for risk analysis and assessment will be crucial to the success of such initiatives.